Greenville, N.C.-based ECU Health has partnered with Undue Medical Debt to eliminate $186 million in past-due medical debt for more than 32,000 patients.

Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health is making substantial investments in its healthcare infrastructure. 

Health systems across the country are restructuring their operating models to navigate an increasingly challenging healthcare landscape. Rising financial pressures, workforce shortages, inflation and shifting patient demands are pushing health systems to rethink how they operate, allocate resources and deliver care. 

Northern Light Health, a 10-hospital system headquartered in Brewer, Maine, is ending pension benefits for about 6,000 employees, effective July 1, 2025, the health system confirmed to Becker's.

Phoenix-based Valleywise Health is proud of its history as a safety-net hospital, serving its unique community since 1877. In June, Valleywise Medical Center moved more than 200 patients from its legacy facility into a modern new facility – and the organization aims to keep growing.

North Carolina officials have denied Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health's bid to build a hospital in Asheville for the second time in two years, the Triad Business Journal reported Dec. 12.

Cleveland-based University Hospitals recorded an operating loss of $163.3 million (-3.5% operating margin) through the third quarter of 2024, compared to an operating loss of $156.6 million (-3.6% margin) through the same period in 2023. 

Healthcare providers will face more reimbursement challenges next year, S&P Global predicts, especially as demographic shifts increase the number of Medicare beneficiaries in many markets.

S&P Global predicts a "stable but shaky" 2025 for the nonprofit acute healthcare sector as revenue and demand for services remain strong, but challenges and uncertainty persist.

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare's stock price has fallen 25% over the past two months, from an all-time high of $415.54 on Oct. 18 to $311.99 on Dec. 12.

Shelby Arveson, CFO of Providence South Division, part of Renton, Wash.-based Providence, discovered her passion for healthcare during a college internship in hospice care, and healthcare has been her career home ever since. Over the last 20 years, she has contributed to Providence's growth and its mission by serving as a key leader in the system.

Despite rising operational costs and an evolving healthcare landscape, several health systems rebounded with strong financial performances in the third quarter. 

Matt Heywood, president and CEO of Aspirus Health, is aware of the potential economic and business challenges facing health systems. His understanding of these "adversity risks," as he calls them, is helping shape Aspirus' strategies.

Vineland, N.J.-based Inspira Health reported a $51.6 million operating loss (-5.2% margin) in the third quarter of 2024, falling from a $31.6 million operating loss (-3.4% margin) during the same period in 2023, according to its Nov. 14 financial report.

Longitude Health, a new innovation consortium featuring four major health systems, is launching a population health company in early 2025. 

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based HonorHealth saw a $19.5 million operating income (2.3% margin) in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2024, up from a $27 million operating loss (-3.7% margin) during the same period in 2023, according to its Nov. 22 financial report.

Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare reported a $65 million operating income (5.4% margin) in the third quarter of 2024, up from a $14.5 million operating income (1.5% margin) during the same quarter last year, according to its Nov. 13 financial report.

Across the healthcare industry, many hospital and health system financial leaders are looking for the perfect concoction to boost their operating margins.

Johnson City, Tenn.-based Ballad Health has finalized its sale of select operating assets of its outreach laboratory services to Labcorp. 

Elevated inflation, Medicaid expansion, the reinstatement of Medicare sequestration and significant waves of M&A all have intensified a long-term trend of credit divergence, splitting hospitals into stronger and weaker segments, Fitch Ratings said in a Dec. 9 report.